Saving Face: The Top Skin Treatments For $100 Or Less

From skin-brightening peels to acne-blasting injections, here are the most affordable fixes you dont need to save up for.

It doesn't matter if you have a trust fund in your name or enough gold jewelry to decorate an Egyptian pharaoh: everyone loves a bargain. In the interest of preserving your skin—and bank balance—we asked the country's top dermatologists to tell us which treatments ring up for $100 or less. From skin-brightening peels to acne-blasting injections, here are the most affordable fixes you don't need to save up for.

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Vitalize Peel

How It Works: “The Vitalize peel combines potent glycolic acids and retinol to peel the surface of the skin and give it a fresh, healthy glow without much recovery time,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC.

Who It’s Best For: Those with acne, discoloration and sun spots

The Cost: $75-100 per peel

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Corticosteroid Injection

How It Works: “In a pinch, if you have a breakout and need to get rid of it in time for a big event, such as a wedding or photo shoot, you can pop in the office and we inject each pimple with a very light corticosteroid that flattens the acne,” says Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas of the Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in New York.

Who It’s Best For: Those with a mild breakouts or stubborn pimple

The Cost: Around $100

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Cryotherapy

How It Works: “An instrument that looks like a Tweezer is dipped in liquid nitrogen then applied near the eyes, neck and under the arms to remove skin ‘tags,’ [or dark patches on the body],” says Dr. Whitney Bowe of Advanced Dermatology in New York. “It feels very cold when it's being done, but the discomfort lasts only seconds.”

Who It’s Best For: Those with small skin tags who want to avoid needles

The Cost: $75 for 5 skin tags

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Blue Light Therapy

How It Works: “A blue LED (light emitting diodes) light is aimed at the face for about 15 minutes to kill acne-causing bacteria. There’s no downtime afterward or discomfort during the treatment,” says Dr. Eric Schweiger of Clear Clinic in New York. “In fact, most of our patients listen to music or take a quick nap.”

Who It’s Best For: Time-crunched patients who want to fight acne with more than prescription meds

The Cost: $95

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Victor Demarchelier

Micro-Needling

How It Works: “Fine needles create microscopic channels from the top layer of the skin to the deeper layer. Hyaluronic acid and antioxidants are then introduced to stimulate the cells that make collagen. The result is smoother skin, even pigmentation, and some plumping. Repeated treatments give more dramatic results,” says Dr. Ava Shamban of Ava MD in Los Angeles and author of Heal Your Skin

Who It’s Best For: Anyone who has fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, pigmentation, and acne scarring.

The Cost: Around $100

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Salicylic Acid Peel

How It Works: “Highly concentrated salicylic acid is applied to the skin to dissolve clogged pores that cause acne, so you have a clearer and smoother complexion,” says Dr. Anne Chapas of Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York. “Also the peel can help your topical treatments work better to clear up acne faster and can prevent future outbreaks.”

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